Host Jennifer A. Nielsen tells the back story of an artist, musician, author, and educator, who was once just an child in a low-income school district. But a child of promise.

In this episode of the Backstory Podcast, Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews Brodi Ashton, a New York Times bestselling author known for her works like the Everneath series and My Lady Jane. They discuss Brodi's upbringing influenced by Greek mythology, her experiences in school, the challenges of procrastination, and the impact of COVID-19 on her creativity. Brodi shares her journey from education to writing, the importance of accepting limitations, and the collaborative process of co-writing. The conversation highlights the resilience required to navigate personal and professional challenges, ultimately emphasizing the importance of storytelling.

In this episode, Jennifer Nielsen shares the powerful story of bestselling author Brodi, whose once-effortless writing career came to a halt after a severe battle with COVID left her with brain fog and depression. As deadlines slipped and doubt crept in, Brodi made the difficult decision to seek help, discovering the life-changing power of setting boundaries and saying "no." Her journey is a reminder that even in our lowest moments, recovery is possible, and great careers can be built not in spite of our limitations, but because of how we grow through them.

In this episode of the BackStory podcast, host Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews New York Times bestselling author Ayana Gray. They discuss Ayana's childhood creativity, her journey to becoming an author, and the influential books that shaped her. Ayana shares her experiences with writing, the challenges of pursuing a writing career, and the balance between confidence and humility in the literary world.

This conversation explores the journey of Ayana Gray, an aspiring author who navigated the challenges of becoming a published writer. It highlights her early passion for storytelling, the obstacles she faced, and the pivotal moment when she leveraged social media to connect with literary agents, ultimately leading to her debut novel's success. The discussion emphasizes the importance of perseverance, community support, and believing in one's dreams.

Chapters

00:00 The Aspiring Author's Journey
03:05 The Power of Community and Connection
05:24 The Breakthrough Moment
06:53 Believing in Your Dreams

In this podcast recap, #1 NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer A. Nielsen reflects on the success of the first two seasons, highlighting the contributions of her team and the insights gained from interviews with notable authors. She expresses gratitude for the support received and shares excitement for the upcoming season three, promising even more engaging guests and discussions.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Season One and Two Achievements
02:22 Lessons from Inspiring Guests
04:42 Insights from Jeff Kinney and Future Guests

In this episode of the Backstory Podcast, host Jennifer A. Nielsen interviews Marc J. Gregson, a New York Times bestselling author and middle school English teacher. They discuss Marc's journey to becoming an author, the impact of teaching on his writing, and the themes explored in his debut novel, 'Sky's End.' Marc shares his experiences with rejection, the importance of empathy in storytelling, and his aspirations for the future, including a film adaptation of his work. The conversation highlights the significance of lifelong learning and the role of books in fostering understanding and connection among readers.

00:00
Introduction to Mark J. Gregson

02:57
The Journey to Becoming an Author

06:06
The Impact of Early Reading Experiences

08:47
The Creative Process and Artistic Expression

11:29
The Passion for Learning and Teaching

14:40
Influential Teachers and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

18:27
Exploring Skye's End and Its Themes

22:53
The Emotional Connection in Writing

24:53
The Journey to Publication

28:10
Sharing Failures and Perseverance

31:12
The Impact of Student Engagement

33:25
Film Adaptation and Industry Interest

36:30
The Writing Process: Plotter vs. Pantser

38:49
Future Aspirations and Goals

40:49
The Role of Empathy in Reading

Those words can mean many things. In this author's case, they were a very good thing. Jennifer Nielsen tells the story of Marc, an author who couldn't believe his eyes.